After 5 Years, One of Anime's Best Sci-Fi Series Is Returning With a New Season
It’s been a while since anime fans have seen anything new from A Certain Scientific Railgun, the popular sci-fi series written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Motoi Fuyukawa. Originally debuting as a manga in 2007, the series quickly gained popularity and expanded into an anime adaptation. The anime ran for three seasons between 2009 and 2020, earning a strong following.
That has now changed with a recent announcement both online and at the Dengeki Bunko Super New Year Appreciation – Winter Festival Online 2025 event in Japan. A Certain Scientific Railgun is officially returning for a fourth season. While a specific premiere date has yet to be revealed, an official preview video has already been released, building excitement among fans eager to see Mikoto Misaka and the rest of the cast back in action. Tatsuyuki Nagai returns as director, with the main voice cast—Rina Satō, Satomi Arai, Aki Toyosaki, and Kanae Itō—reprising their roles. The production is once again overseen by J.C.STAFF (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.).
A Franchises With Almost Two Decades of History
A Certain Scientific Railgun Is a Successful Anime Adaptation
A Certain Scientific Railgun (Toaru Kagaku no Railgun) is a manga written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Motoi Fuyukawa. It began serialization in Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh in April 2007 as a spin-off of the light novel A Certain Magical Index. The story takes place in Academy City, a futuristic metropolis filled with espers, and follows Mikoto Misaka, a powerful Level 5 electromaster. Unlike Index, which blends science and magic, Railgun focuses solely on the scientific side, exploring the world of espers in greater detail. The manga is still ongoing, with 19 volumes published as of March 2024.
Thanks to its popularity, the series was adapted into an anime by J.C.STAFF. The first season aired from October 2009 to March 2010, covering 24 episodes. The second season, A Certain Scientific Railgun S, aired from April to September 2013 and focused on the Sisters Arc, a major storyline in the Toaru universe. The third season, Railgun T, aired from January to September 2020, adapting the Daihaseisai Festival and Dream Ranker arcs.
Mikoto Misaka: The Heart of Railgun's Popularity
What to Expect in Season 4
If there is one key factor behind the enduring popularity of A Certain Scientific Railgun, it’s likely Mikoto Misaka, who has captured several generations of fans with her dynamic personality and electrifying abilities. Her blend of strength, kindness, and occasional tsundere moments has solidified her status as a fan favorite. This is more than evident through the extensive range of Mikoto merchandise, including figures and apparel. With the fourth season on the horizon, her fanbase is likely to grow even further.
With the announcement of Season 4, anticipation is high regarding the storylines that will be adapted. While specific arcs haven’t been officially confirmed, fans are eager to see the new challenges and adventures awaiting Mikoto and her friends. Let's hope the upcoming season of A Certain Scientific Railguncontinues to deliver the action-packed sequences and character development that have become hallmarks of the series.
A Certain Scientific Railgun
- Release Date
- 2009 - 2020
- Directors
- Tatsuyuki Nagai
Cast
Brittney Karbowski- Cherami Leigh
- Jamie Marchi
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